SEU and St. Thomas Aquinas High School Launch Clinical Skills Lab
October 24, 2026
Partnership expands career exploration, college access, and hands-on learning for high school students
Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) joined Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (STA) to celebrate the opening of its new Clinical Skills Lab, featuring two hospital beds and medical equipment donated by SEU. The facility will give students hands-on opportunities to explore health care careers and connect classroom learning with real-world professional environments.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the partnership between the two Catholic educational institutions and their shared commitment to preparing students for success through academic excellence, service, and career-focused learning.
Representing Saint Elizabeth University were Anthony B. Santamaria, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Marjorie Tapia, NP; David Hill, Ed.D., Associate Vice President of Student Affairs; and Michael K. Smullen, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. They joined Saint Thomas Aquinas High School President Kevin Sacco; Principal Augustus Modla; Rev. David E. Keyes, Vice Principal for Catholic Mission; Suzanne Hernandez of Development; and Heather Grande, Director of Communications and External Affairs.
SEU faculty and staff visited the school to celebrate the opening of the facility for student use. A cohort of high school students also gathered in the gymnasium to mark the occasion.
Connecting Catholic education with career preparation
Founded in 1969, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School is a coeducational, college-preparatory Catholic school in Edison, New Jersey, and the only diocesan high school in the Diocese of Metuchen. Its mission is to foster excellence and empower students to pursue lives of faith, virtue, and purpose. The school emphasizes the development of the whole person through academic rigor, Catholic formation, and opportunities for students to discover and develop their talents.
The Clinical Skills Lab supports STA’s expanding career-focused academic pathways, which connect students’ academic experiences with fields such as health sciences, engineering, and business. The hospital beds and clinical equipment donated by SEU will help students become familiar with the environments and tools associated with health care practice as they consider future educational and professional opportunities.
Dual enrollment expands college affordability and opportunity
The collaboration also highlights Saint Elizabeth University’s commitment to making higher education more accessible through dual enrollment. SEU currently serves more than 150 STAHS students through its dual-enrollment program, providing opportunities to earn college credits while completing high school.
For students at partner schools, dual enrollment can significantly reduce the overall cost of a college education by allowing them to complete college coursework earlier and potentially shorten the time and tuition required to earn a degree. The program also introduces students to college-level expectations and helps them explore academic and career interests before graduating from high school.
Many SEU dual-enrollment students are interested in applied health fields, including nursing and physician assistant studies. Others are exploring business, education, and additional disciplines. By combining early college coursework with exposure to practical learning environments, SEU and its partner schools can help students begin developing the knowledge and skills needed for further education and future employment.
Research in New Jersey supports the potential benefits of these opportunities. A 2024 analysis by Rutgers University’s New Jersey State Policy Lab found that 83% of New Jersey students who participated in dual enrollment entered higher education within one year of high school graduation. The findings underscore the role early college experiences can play in supporting students’ transitions from high school to college.
For Saint Elizabeth University, these programs reflect its mission as a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts tradition, dedicated to engaged learning, leadership, and service to others. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the university emphasizes educational opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to the well-being of individuals and communities.
The Clinical Skills Lab donation brings these shared priorities into practice, strengthening the connection between secondary and higher education while giving students an additional resource to explore their interests and prepare for their futures.
As both institutions continue to create opportunities for students to learn, grow, and serve, the partnership demonstrates how collaboration between Catholic schools and universities can expand access to education, support workforce development, and help students turn their aspirations into achievable goals.